Need Help Making Something Round?

AdNorrel has shared two interesting techniques to create a round shape using simple LEGO elements.  Trying to add some columns to your new build?  Here are two designs that would work really well!  Trying to add a rounded turret to a castle wall?  Try one of these on for size!  The beauty of the LEGO community is that we are always learning from each other.  Happy round building!

Cylinder technique
2 Comments

Nathaniel Stoner

     My name is Nathaniel Stoner, and I am an very active LEGO builder.  I mostly build in the themes of castle and science-fiction, but I also dabble in other genres and create occasional random MOC's (My Own Creations). 

     When I was younger, I would get and build small LEGO sets for my birthday, but I was never really into them.  When they fell apart, I would become frustrated attempting to put them back together and would throw them in a box in my closet.  I couldn't stand them!

     Then, miraculously, I became addicted to the LEGO brick later in my teen years.  Ever since, I have continued to build up (pun intended) my collection of bricks and to expand my knowledge of techniques and building skills.  LEGO is truly more than a toy, its an art form and a way to express yourself.

     For the most part, I collect LEGO Star Wars (mainly the minifigs), which is probably my favorite LEGO theme.  I have a fairly decent collection, including some of the original 1999 sets, such as the Snowspeeder, X-Wing, and Naboo starfighter.  I also collected LEGO the Lord of the Rings when those sets first came out.  The minifigs are great, and the story remains one of my favorites ever. 

     My hope is to inspire other young (and perhaps even older) LEGO builders to unleash their inner creativity!  You can find me on my Flikr here

UWM

Even aliens need better ways of getting around than with their own feet.  You all know about UFO's, but what about UWM's (Unidentified Walking Machine)?  Building mechs is a popular subject for many skilled LEGO builders.  Chris Maddison has put his own unique twist on a mechanized suit.  If you were an astronaut exploring a new world, how would you like to run into this thing, let alone an alien?  I imagine not too happy.  The popular depiction of aliens known as the Greys describes skinny humanoid figures with large heads and even bigger eyes.  Chris has definitely captured the skinny aspect, and even included some long fingers!  A very creative build.

Because aliens and mechs are cool, that's why.
Comment

Nathaniel Stoner

     My name is Nathaniel Stoner, and I am an very active LEGO builder.  I mostly build in the themes of castle and science-fiction, but I also dabble in other genres and create occasional random MOC's (My Own Creations). 

     When I was younger, I would get and build small LEGO sets for my birthday, but I was never really into them.  When they fell apart, I would become frustrated attempting to put them back together and would throw them in a box in my closet.  I couldn't stand them!

     Then, miraculously, I became addicted to the LEGO brick later in my teen years.  Ever since, I have continued to build up (pun intended) my collection of bricks and to expand my knowledge of techniques and building skills.  LEGO is truly more than a toy, its an art form and a way to express yourself.

     For the most part, I collect LEGO Star Wars (mainly the minifigs), which is probably my favorite LEGO theme.  I have a fairly decent collection, including some of the original 1999 sets, such as the Snowspeeder, X-Wing, and Naboo starfighter.  I also collected LEGO the Lord of the Rings when those sets first came out.  The minifigs are great, and the story remains one of my favorites ever. 

     My hope is to inspire other young (and perhaps even older) LEGO builders to unleash their inner creativity!  You can find me on my Flikr here

Handheld Terrorizes City

Dateline: January 20th 2017
Citizens are warned to be on the lookout for a small, sentient handheld game device. The handheld, calling itself GameBad has been hurling game cartridges and causing general disturbances since earlier today. "I don't know what happened, I was just standing there having a slice of pizza when that little bugger came up and clocked me with a Tetris!" exclaimed a man who declined an interview after the event. It should be noted that the device runs on classic alkaline batteries so the event is expected to last no longer than 10 hours.

Nintendo GAME BAD

The Mean Machine

Builder redfern1950s has done it, he's completed the greatest lineup of auto racing ever assembled, the cars and drivers of Wacky Races. The last to be added, and hardest to build, was the Mean Machine. Sure they're the 'villains", and of course they're up to no good, but they were always good TV, and Mutley was one of my favorites (I still laugh like him from time to time, just cuz). Dick Dastardly wasn't all bad though, maybe. He just wanted to win races, and was willing to go to great means to do it. Congrats on completing the series, it was a pleasure watching them all come together.

Wacky Races " The Mean Machine "
Wacky Races " The Mean Machine "

You'll Be Required To Maneuver Straight Down This Trench...

Just last night I was watching a viral video (well, more audio actually) of an original 70's audience reacting to the Death Star battle, I was transported back to childhood. I love Star Wars, I'm not afraid to say it or show it, and when I see something like this jaw dropping MOC by Martin Harris, I  see the passion I know so well. Just look at this epic creation, the sheer scale of it, it's awesome! The care and love that went into this practically leaps off the screen.

TrenchRunMHarris-3
TrenchRunMHarris-9
TrenchRunMHarris-1

Why O Why Did I Ever Leave My Hobbit-hole?

As some of you may know, theres a special place in my heart for micro builds and builder Paul Wolfe has really impressed with this tiny hobbit hole! Bilbo's little abode in Bag End has some fun details like the tree on top made with hair pieces and the chimney is quite clever too! 

Paul is thinking about making a vignette series of these and although it is quite the project to take on I would be most excited to see that adventure unfold! It would be quite the Unexpected Gathering of creations, don't you think? ;)

Micro Bag-End

BrickNerd LiveBuild - Batman Movie Clayface Splat Attack

Batman has many enemies, but none are quite so unusual as Clayface. I mean, how do you fight a guy made of clay? Well, come to think of it, bringing some water, a throwing wheel and a little patience might be an approach, but I digress.

Join me and Mrs BrickNerd as we build 70904 LEGO Batman Movie Clayface Splat Attack live! Building starts at 9am PST!

Amsterdam Tram

I had very limited exposure to trollies growing up, but always liked them. We would occasionally get up to San Francisco when I was a kid, and they had a few there, but they were long gone from Los Angeles before I was even born. These days I can sort of get my fix at Disneyland though, and always appreciate the approach of the Red Car (except when it's full of Newsies, man that show is annoying). But I would have loved to have ridden on this classic tram from Amsterdam. At least we can all appreciate this lovely MOC from builder KMbricklab, she's a beauty.

Amsterdam old tram_002

Porsche 919 Le Mans

This is speed, this is engineering, this is sexy. Builder Manuel Nascimento has built a Technic tribute to one of the fastest, sleekest and most famous race cars, the Porsche 919. It only takes a glance to see this was a labor of love, but it's in the details you see the true devotion. Click through for more pictures and check out the video.

919_6
919_5

ARES-3

Bob DeQuatre has been waiting to build this for quite a while now.  Exactly three years, in fact.  Designed on LDD, he's finally gotten around to building this ship in real bricks.  And it's certainly been worth the wait!  Gotta love the curves and the color scheme, complete with the massive blasters on each side.  And a couple of Classic Space logos thrown in for good measure.  Awesome!

ARES-3

ARES-3

Space Marine Helmet

This space marine helmet by builder timofey_tkachev looks right out of a movie or video game. The sleek black design looks intimidating, and not only does it have all the right aesthetics, it's wearable too. I assume it's an original design, but it feels familiar, almost imperial. While it doesn't necessarily look Star Warsy (is that an adjective?) you can definitely feel some of the DNA in it.

Space Marine 3

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

Mizaru, covering his eyes, sees no evil. Kikazaru, covering his ears, hears no evil. And Iwazaru, covering his mouth,  speaks no evil. The three together are the wise monkeys, an ancient reminder of ethics and code of conduct, here depicted brilliantly by builder J.B.F. While the notion of being a wise monkey seems appealing, I would like to hesitantly propose the 4th monkey, "have no fun".

Three wise monkeys

Vengeful Spirit

I really dig this ship design by Tim C76, it looks like a mashup of angular Imperial design and classic NASA, with a touch of rebel spirit. But based on the name I'm guessing it's not transporting colonists or doing research. The contrast of the white cladding against the greebly goodness is visually appealing (but must have made it hard to photograph). Regardless I want to rig it, light it, do a motion control pass and put this baby in a movie!

Vengeful Spirit

The Last Of Us

I hope you have some time on your hands, because I have a little eye candy for you. Actually it's a lot of eye candy, like a full game level of eye candy, in this intensely detailed and jaw-dropping diorama by builder Tim Schwalfenberg. It's inspired by the video game The Last of Us, and like the game it's an absolute work of dystopian art. Click through for many more pictures, and make yourself comfortable, you have some gawking to do.

The Last of Us: Streetview
The Last of Us: Interior 1
The Last of Us

*Boop Boop Boop, Weeoo Weeoo Weeoo, Wop Wop Wop*

I was totally a kid of the 70's and 80's, I saw the rise of the video game and the subsequent decline of pinball. And like an entire generation of kids, none of us ever had a quarter in our pocket that wasn't itching to be converted to a few minutes of pixelated fun. Now you can recreate this bygone era with Chris McVeigh's charming little modular arcade. You can get instructions and full kits at his website chrismcveigh.com

Modular Arcade

Exterminator

Pest problems? No Problem! Just call A-1 Pest Services and we'll send over one of our trained technicians to take care of you. We specialize in draknort infestations, ploopknit problems, flindershiver nests and homnibble dens. Ask about or 20% discount for non gravity dwellings and our special this month on shelter fumigations. That's A-1, for all your extermination needs!

The Exterminator

The Compact Pussycat

Builder redfern1950s' quest to complete all of the Wacky Racers is nearly complete. I will confess Penelope Pitstop was never a favorite of mine, far too girly for me. Her classic "southern bell" ways and beauty supplied car gizmos were just irritating to 7 year old me. And of course she's the one that got her own spinoff cartoon, I would have much rather watched the antics of the gruesome twosome.

Wacky Races " The Compact Pussycat "